Plans have been revealed for the mixed-use redevelopment of the Briar Street Theater at 3133 N Halsted Street in Lake View. Located at the corner of W Briar Place, the building most recently hosted a three-decade residency of the Blue Man Group. Now, JAB Real Estate is looking to purchase the property and convert it into an apartment building.
Site context map of 3133 N Halsted Street via Google Maps
Originally built in 1901 by Marshall Field’s as a stable for the company’s horses, the brick-clad structure later housed a moving and storage company before being purchased by local resident Walter Topel for his production company. It was eventually converted into a theater in the 1990s and quickly leased to the Blue Man Group.
View of Floor plans of 3133 N Halsted Street via CoStar
Currently owned by Topel’s widow, she has decided to sell the property to JAB for redevelopment. The plans include preserving the two main street-facing facades of the original building and constructing both vertical and lateral additions, replacing the existing parking lot. Designed by Moth Architects, these additions would expand the current three-story structure to five stories.
Rendering of 3133 N Halsted Street by Moth Architects
However, not all parking will be lost. A small 14-vehicle garage will be built on the ground floor of the lateral addition. The rest of the ground floor will include a handful of duplex loft units to take advantage of the tall ceilings, a bike storage room, a main entry lobby along Briar, and a 1,200-square-foot retail space at the street corner.
First and mezzanine floor plans of 3133 N Halsted Street by Moth Architects
In total, the building will include 66 residential units, consisting of 44 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, and two three-bedroom layouts. Per city code, the project must provide 13 affordable units; 10 will be located on-site, with the developer paying an in-lieu fee for the remaining three. Select units will feature small balconies, and all residents will have access to a shared rooftop deck.
Third and fourth floor plans of 3133 N Halsted Street by Moth Architects
The vertical addition atop the existing theater will be clad in gray metal panels with vertical detailing, while the side addition will feature dark brown brick with horizontal cast-stone detailing that matches the height of the original theater. The development team will now need to secure city approval for the project, though a timeline has not yet been announced.
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Wishing this one remained as a theater/entertainment venues, or at a minimum utilized materials that better complemented the existing structure for the floors above.
Looks good to me.
Nice piece of history. That was built as a horse stable? Wow, the kind of craftsmanship that went into housing horses back in those days, really amazing
Losing parking spaces is not really a loss, I thought this was a YIMBY site to build more housing for people? That being said, I’m very much for this, especially getting rid of the parking lot to the south that seriously detracts from the coziness of this property.
“…not all parking will be lost.” is not an editorial; it’s just stating a fact.
The addition on the parking lot mixes in nicely with the rest of the block. Now if we can fill the parking lot further up along the Northalsted corridor.
A 4-story residential building with no elevator? Is that even legal?
Yes they exist all over the city, but usually they were built in the 20th century
Hi, it’s five stories and the plans show an elevator on the north end of the building.
We need this type of add on development all over the city
Is it being built with union contractors